Ida B Wells Foundation
The Ida B Wells Foundation is a private foundation that focuses on supporting social justice initiatives and community development. Its mission includes promoting non-violent conflict resolution, enhancing education, and advocating for the homeless and marginalized populations. The foundation provides funding for programs addressing homelessness, legal aid, community music, and health and wellness initiatives. It primarily serves organizations within Cuyahoga County, Ohio, reflecting a commitment to local community engagement and empowerment.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small or grassroots nonprofit based in Cuyahoga County (or elsewhere in Ohio) seeking modest project support aligned with homelessness services, legal aid, neighborhood development, education, or social justice work and able to specify a clear spending and evaluation plan.
Good Fit
- • Requests for operating or program support under $5,000.
- • Project located in Cuyahoga County or serving Cleveland communities.
- • Work focused on homelessness, legal services, neighborhood development, youth conflict resolution, or social justice presentations.
- • A concise budget and a concrete plan for measuring outcomes.
- • Small, community‑based initiatives rather than large institutional capital projects.
Geography
In every observed year all grants went to Ohio organizations and the foundation's materials explicitly prioritize Cuyahoga County, indicating a locally focused geographic footprint.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows four distinct recipients and across three years the foundation funded a range of independent nonprofits (homeless services, legal aid, community development, social justice), but the number of grants per year is small so variety is moderate rather than broad.
New Applicants
There is a public application route (request an application by mail) and the latest year included three new grantees, which suggests unfamiliar applicants can access funding; however the foundation is locally prioritized and grantmaking is small and selective, so openness is not clearly broad.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
